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Criteria to Apply

ECE Scholarship Applications for Academic Year 2025-2026

Thank you for your interest in Equal Chance for Education.

The application for academic year 2025-2026 will open on November 1, 2024. Completed applications MUST be submitted by March 1, 2024. Priority will be given to applicants submitted by January 15, 2025.

For more information about our scholarship eligibility criteria, contact vanessa@equalchanceforeducation.org. We are here to help!

Scholarship Applications for academic year 2024-2025 are due March 1, 2024 by 11:59 pm.
ECE accepts candidates through a process of two applications and an interview.

The candidates are determined by the following criteria:

Academic Record

ECE scholars must have and maintain a B average, or 3.0 gpa, throughout their time as an ECE scholar. ECE partners with several organizations in Nashville that offer free ACT prep courses and exams and we encourage our scholars to take as many times as possible. ECE has established very strong relationships with partner colleges advisors and student mentors to form a strong web of support for each student.

Career Goal

We ask our scholars to choose their degree or area of interest before they are accepted into our program. We do this to make sure that we can place each scholar with a mentor in their career path that can support and guide them into becoming a successful citizen post-graduation. We accept college-ready students who have a clear set of goals and know how they plan to achieve them.

Financial Need

ECE reviews each scholar’s tax returns for documentation. The scholar and their family contribute a minimum of $2000/semester toward their tuition. ECE is a “last dollar” scholarship and provides funding for the remaining balance based on financial need. Scholars must live at home and not in the dorms to save $8,000/year. As most scholars are first-generation college students, living at home proves to be the most supportive environment. ECE encourages scholars to apply for any and all other scholarships for which they might also qualify.  All applicants must be Non-FAFSA eligible due to their immigration status.

Partner Colleges

ECE cannot guarantee acceptance into college. ECE will assist applicants who are not yet accepted by making suggestions based on geographic location, area of study, and career goals. Applicants must be accepted into one of the following partner colleges in order to receive an ECE scholarship:

Middle TN: Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Fisk University, Cumberland University.
Memphis: University of Memphis, Christian Brothers University
East TN: Milligan University, East Tennessee State University, Carson Newman, Maryville College, Tennessee Wesleyan University
Chattanooga: Southern Adventist College, Sewanee University

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When you are ready, click the button to visit the ECE portal and begin your application.
Apply Here
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